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Living Through Faithby Lydia

The Halliens are a very special family to me. Mr. Hallien was my teacher at Immanuel Lutheran for four years, and he had a very significant influence on my education and my faith. He was the person who coined the nickname LJ for me, who encouraged me to run, who showed me that God can get you through anything.

When I was in sixth grade, Mrs. Hallien found out she was pregnant. Baby Faith was born in April, but she had so many problems that they weren't even sure if she would make it through her first day. She lived for nearly six months before she passed away, but her life was so joyful. She was constantly loved on by family and friends, and she touched so many people with her beautiful story.

As soon as I found out each BJJTV staffer got to do their own story second semester, I knew I wanted to share the Halliens' journey. It has been so incredible to see how God has worked in their lives through Faith, and I wanted more people to know their story.

I interviewed them (plus little Savannah) over spring break, and it was the hardest interview I've ever had to conduct. They were extremely open with me, and all three of us found ourselves in tears during the hour I interviewed them.

For b-roll, I relied mostly on photos of Faith from an album they have that documents almost each day of her life. Mrs. Hallien also sent me home videos and family photos. Are they not the cutest family ever?!

Slating and logging the interview took me several hours, and it was very challenging to decide what to include because I am so emotionally attached to the story. I rewrote the script several times, redid voiceovers, and recut soundbites until I felt that their testimony was shared to the best of my ability.

Although the story isn't perfect, I feel that it was exactly what I was supposed to do for my solo story. Everyone who watches it can see how much the Halliens' faith has helped them grow, even after going through such a grueling loss. Their story has changed my life, and I can only hope that others' lives will be touched too.